ORCHARD Facilities Management has bought Independence House, one of Huddersfield’s landmark commercial properties, which it intends to use as a space to nurture start-up businesses.

The three storey Victorian property on Halifax Road has been acquired by Orchard Facilities Management and its charitable arm Henderson Firstfruits and will become Orchard’s UK headquarters as it expands its presence nationally over the next five years.

The £8.5m Digital Enterprise Programme is launching today to support digital businesses in the Leeds City Region to grow.Up to £5,000 per business is available to invest in new technologies or advance their digital skills. It can also be used to upgrade websites, enhance digital connections or acquire new hard or software.

This support is available to business through the LEP’s growth service.

The programme is part-funded by the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014 – 2020 and will be managed by Leeds City Council.

Roger Marsh OBE, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “Possessing intel on the latest digital technologies and skills is not only relevant to those working within the digital sector, but fast becoming essential to any businesses looking to target new customers and improve their productivity by becoming more efficient.

“This exciting product adds to the growing amount of business support available via the LEP business growth service, a single point of contact for tailored business support. It will help SMEs in all our key sectors become more digitally savvy in their day to day activities. With grant funding also available to invest in new software and website upgrades, businesses will be supported to de-risk investments that can have a great impact on their bottom line.”

Cllr James Lewis, Deputy Leader of Leeds City Council added: “A recent IPPR North report into the role of SMEs in building a digital powerhouse highlights that small businesses often see investment in new digital technology as risky because of the costs and time involved, particularly as many small businesses are likely to be extremely time poor. This new business support aims to take away some of that risk and help save time. With financial support available and a hands on approach from our digital advisers businesses will be supported to find the right support to help them grow.”

Businesses in the region have expressed a demand for this type of business support and this informed the bid for European Funding to establish the programme.

Mark Ambler, managing director of Blue Logic Computers, based in Leeds, said: “The Digital Enterprise Programme offers a real incentive for small businesses to upgrade their digital and ICT capabilities supported by a voucher. Many businesses may have been considering investing in a range of digital solutions to help them grow and create jobs and so the launch of the Digital Enterprise scheme offers them that push to get on and do it.
The Strategic Economic Plan for Leeds City Region sets an ambition for an additional 15,000 digital jobs to be created by 2025.

If you would like to register your interest and find out how the LEP can support your business, call 0113 348 1818 to speak to one of our business advisers. Alternatively, email businessgrowth@the-lep.com or click here to give your details.

Business for Calderdale member Martin Haigh, founder of Brighouse-based training and development company, Lattitude7, has been awarded an MBE in the 2017 New Years Honours list. Dr Haigh receives the award for his services to the community, charity work and changing the lives of young people in West Yorkshire.

Martin said he was thrilled and honoured to receive the MBE and is looking forward to going to

Martin Haigh with MBE confirmation letter.

Buckingham Palace to collect his award later this year. He said he does not carry out his charity/community work for personal gain but it is just amazing to be recognised for his endeavours. He would also like to thank the many people who have sponsored his activities over the years and provided moral support during his journey.

Martin has been a member of Business for Calderdale for a number of years and tries to attend as many meetings as possible. Martin said “I really enjoy the B4C meetings, they are very varied and there is always a warm welcome and a friendly face. I have had the privilege of delivering a couple of seminars for B4C and have done work with a number of the members. I would highly recommend this networking group to any like-minded business owners”.